Villa Park’s lights might have dimmed after a pulsating Champions League night against PSG, but behind the scenes, Aston Villa are igniting fresh sparks — this time off the pitch. Less than six weeks since their near-miraculous comeback against the French champions, Unai Emery’s side are circling back to Paris — but not for revenge. They want one of their own.
According to Caught Offside, Villa have “made contact” with Paris Saint-Germain to explore a deal for unsettled forward Lee Kang-in — a £37 million-rated gem who has reportedly turned down a new contract and is eyeing an exit. They’re not alone, though: Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Newcastle, Napoli, Atlético Madrid, and Arsenal are all in the mix.
The 24-year-old South Korean star has had a turbulent time in Paris. Despite making 19 Ligue 1 starts and contributing six goals and six assists, his Champions League story took a bitter twist. He didn’t feature at all in the knockouts, including the dramatic second leg at Villa Park or the semifinal showdown against Arsenal.
A source close to the player claimed:
“Lee wants to play. He’s ready for a bigger role — not just a seat on the bench.”
His omission from key fixtures hasn’t gone unnoticed — especially at Villa, where his versatility and creative flair could be the missing link in Emery’s attacking puzzle. Able to play on the wing, as a ten, or even centrally, Lee is the type of dynamic attacker Villa have been craving to push for sustained Champions League contention.
Lee’s PSG tenure was marked by promise and pressure. The first Korean to wear the PSG shirt, he became a part of club history. But it was also a history that pushed him aside.
One insider remarked:
“The Dembele substitution changed everything. Lee didn’t get another real chance.”
Now, Villa sense an opportunity — poetic even — to take a player PSG overlooked and turn him into a Premier League star. A Champions League medal may still adorn his neck, but it’s clear his heart is elsewhere.
Villa fans remember the night the lights almost stayed on — now, they may get their shot at redemption with Lee at the centre of a new story.
